Clothes-pounder.



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CLOTHZE S-POUNDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1907.

Application led May 11,1906i Serial No. 316,243.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH ALPHONSE VALLE, a subject of France, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes- Pounders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in clothes pounder-s, and the invention has for its primary object to provide a novel form of pounder forcleaning clothes within a tub or similar receptacle, insuring a perfect rinsing of the clothes, and tending to remove all dirt and filth from the same. To this end, I have devised a simple and inexpensive pounder which Will be positive in its action and free from all danger of injuring the clothes with which it contacts, or becoming injured itself from constant use.

Briefly described, my improved pounder consists of a semi-spherical shell having a central depending tubular stem, from which radiates a plurality of rods or Wires. The pounder is provided with a detachable T- shaped handle by which it is manipulated,

The above construction, together with the details entering into my invention will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and referring to the drawing accompanying this application, like numerals of reference designate corresponding 'parts throughout the several views of the drawing, in whichz- Figure l is a vertical sectional view of my improved clothes pounder. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View of the lower end of theihandle of the pounder. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a detached detail view of one of the radiating rods or Wires of the pounder, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower end of a depending tubular stem forming part of the pounder.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a conventional form of tub or receptacle l, as partly illed With Water 2 and containing clothes 3.

My invention resides in the novel construction of the pounder 4, which l have illustrated in connection with the tubor receptacle l. The pounder consists of a substantially semi-spherical shell 5 having a central depending tubular stem 6, the upper end of which is closed and contracted, at 7 and provided with an annular iiange 8, which rests upon the top of the shell 5. The contracted end 7 ofthe stern 6 is provided with outwardly extending pins or lugs 9, 9, adapted to engage in the bayonet slots l0, l0, formed in the lower end of the T-shaped handle or lever ll oi the pounder. The lower end of the central depending stem 6 is provided with an annular groove 12, and engaging in said groove are the curved base portions 14 of radially disposed rods or wires 15, l5, of substantially V-shape the ends of said rods or wires being suitably secured, at 1G adjacent to the lower edge of the shell 5.

As shown, the brace wires 15 are inclined relatively toa plane extending at right angles to the stem (i, the inclination being in an upward direction from the point of contact of the wires and stem. Said wires therefore not only brace the stem against lateral movement, but in addition provide means, in opposition to the flange S, for preventing a withdrawal movement of the stem from the shell, it being understood that no additional securing devices, or solder need be provided. Furthermore, the wires, when the pounder is in use, present no obstructions within the shell other than that which is produced by the thickness of the wire, and hence the interior of the shell is substantially free to produce its complete action by permitting the entire effect of the compressed air produced within the shell to be exerted at all points.

In practice the pounder is raised and lowered by a person, to agitato the clothes 3 within the tub or receptacle l, the shape ofthe shell creating a suction or vacuum, which tends to draw the clothes 3 into the shell against the rods or wires l5.

l preferably construct the pounder of light and durable material and detachably connecting the handle ll to the body of the pounder, I am enabled to dis-assomble the pounder, whereby it may be conveniently stored away when not being used.

It is thought from the foregoing that the construction and operation of my improved pounder will be apparent to those having use for the same, and I desire it to be understood that such changes, as are permissible by the appended claims may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim isz- In a clothes pounder, a shell constituting a pounder body, n depending tubular stem extending through the body centrally thereof, having an annular tlange {ltting on the top oi the body and having n contracted end above said flange, brace wires engaging the tubular stem adjacent its lower end and having their ends secured in the pounder body, said wires being inclined relatively to :i plane extending at right angles to the axis of said stem, tbe in clination being upwardly from the stein outwardly, a pin extending through the contracted upper end of said stem and projecting 011 both sides thereof, and a handle havin;r a hollow stem to be received from said contracted end and having oppositely disposed slots to receive the projecting ends of said pin to lock the handle in position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presenco of two witnesses.

JOSEPH ALPHONSE VALLE.

Witnesses C. KLosTEnMANN,

E. E. POTTER. 

